Family Tracing
Our Task
The Family Tracing Services of The Salvation Army were started in 1885 in order to locate family members with whom contact had been lost. The Salvation Army, with a presence in 130 countries, is uniquely equipped to offer this service internationally.
Guidelines for Inquiries
Please complete the Inquiry Form by responding to all the items listed.
To obtain the information we require you may have to research relevant documents, which may be available to you, or consult relatives, who may be able to provide this information, or contact any organization, institution or agency, which may have this information.
Please be advised that The Salvation Army reserves the right to accept or reject an application for inquiry depending on the reason for the inquiry, the completeness of information provided and the feasibility of conducting investigations.
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Since we require the full name of your relative it is important that in addition to the surname you provide us with all the given names of this person.
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We also need the complete date of birth of your relative including the exact day, month, and year. Please give us a written explanation if you are not providing an exact and/or complete date of birth.
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The information about your relative’s parents is important to us even if they should be deceased. Be sure to give us the maiden name of your relative’s mother.
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Your relative’s last known address may give us a starting point in the search. We would appreciate if you could supply us with this information in as much detail as possible, i.e. house number, street, town, etc.
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It is essential that you provide us with your precise reason for wishing to find your relative.
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The other items are also important and we request your cooperation in providing this information if available.
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Please be sure to sign and date the form. Note that an original signature is required.
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Please do not send any pictures.
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We require a copy of your birth certificate.
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You may attach copies of the missing person’s relevant documentation (i.e. birth certificate, marriage license, immigration records etc).
Please Note:
The prime purpose of the Family Tracing Service is to reunite closely related family members. It is the policy of the Family Tracing Service that searches are generally not conducted under any of the conditions outlined below:
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The inquiry concerns a friend, i.e. not a family member.
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The subject of the inquiry is a person under 16 years of age.
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The inquiry involves a legal matter such as debt collection, child support, alimony or the settlement of an estate.
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The inquirer was adopted and is seeking his/her birth parents or the inquirer is seeking a child given up for adoption, as The Salvation Army does not have access to adoption records.
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The inquirer is seeking a biological parent, or the inquirer is a birth parent seeking his/her child without supporting documentation such as a birth certificate, which proves the relationship.
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The inquiry is for genealogical purposes.
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The subject of the inquiry is known to be deceased or can reasonably be assumed to have died.
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The inquiry involves a child custody dispute or parental kidnapping.
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The subject of the inquiry has been missing for less than six months.
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The inquirer is requesting a “secret” search for the sole purpose of obtaining information. We reserve the right to reveal the inquirer’s identity, address and his/her reason for the inquiry.
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The inquirer is not able to provide sufficient identifying information to facilitate a search.
Upon completion kindly return the form to us at the address provided on the form.
When we receive your completed form we will review it to determine if your inquiry falls within the scope of our investigation program and you have provided sufficient information to enable us to do a search. In due course we will advise you concerning the status of your application for inquiry.
Application Process
All inquiries should be directed to the Family Tracing office nearest your place of residence. An inquiry form must be completed, signed and sent to that address. When the application is received it will be reviewed to ensure it meets our guidelines and evaluated for acceptance as a case. You will receive a written acknowledgement of this.
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Inquiry Form (pdf) |
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Inquiry Form (doc) |
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Instructions For Completion |
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Release Of Information - UK Searches only |
If the request is not accepted, you will be notified and appropriate referrals made.
Mailing List of Family Tracing Offices in Canada and Bermuda
Alberta and Northern Territories
Calgary Edmonton Grand Prairie |
Maritime
Halifax
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British Columbia
Vancouver Victoria |
Newfoundland and Labrador
St. John |
Ontario Central East
Kingston Oshawa Ottawa Peterborough Toronto |
Ontario Great Lakes
Kitchener London St. Catherines Thunder Bay Windsor |
Prairie
Regina Winnipeg |
Quebec
Montreal Bermuda
Hamilton |
International and all other inquiries to:
Family Tracing
The Salvation Army
2 Overlea Blvd.
Toronto, ON
M4H 1P4
Email: FamilyTracing@can.salvationarmy.org
